Equipment Used For Private Investigation

Private investigation is no longer in the dark ages of Sherlock Holmes' chemistry set and magnifying glass. Today, equipment for the PI is sophisticated and at the cutting edge of technology. Let's take a look at some of the commonly used equipment used in private investigation.

Visual Surveillance Equipment

Surveillance is of course, a very important aspect of private investigation and surveillance equipment is essential to this business. Binoculars are a form of visual surveillance equipment that was at one time very popular. It is still used today, but the emphasis today is to not only look but to record. So today, the visual surveillance equipment used includes cameras with amazing zoom capabilities and tiny video recorders. The selection depends upon the need. If minute detail is important, then telescopic lenses are called for. If discretion is needed, then tiny cameras can be worn that would never be detected such as a camera built into a button on a shirt.

Audio Surveillance Equipment

Audio recordings are an important part of the investigative work as well. Many things can be learned by recording conversations even though they aren't admissible in court. Instead audio recordings are used for the clues they provide towards solving a case.

Forensic Equipment

Private investigators need various types of scientific equipment in order to scientifically analyze clues. These include scopes, chemistry sets, databases and computers. Databases are extremely important since PIs often need to compare their evidence with previously collected information.

Protective Equipment

Private investigation is a dangerous occupation. Some states allow investigators to carry guns and others do not. The investigator needs some type of equipment for protection since work often involves associating with criminals or with people they have angered. A yawara-bo is a useful defense tool that is easily concealed and doubles as a flashlight or ink pen. It can subdue an opponent by striking pressure points along with jiu-jitsu. One has to be trained to effectively use a yawara-bo, so if it is forcibly taken from a PI, it can rarely be used against him. A stun gun is another weapon a PI might choose to carry. A stun gun usually requires a license and can be easily concealed. If attacked, the PI can use it to give an electric shock to his attacker which will subdue him long enough that the PI can cuff him or escape.

While the average private investigator might not use far out equipment like James Bond uses, he still has a wide selection of equipment to choose from. Thanks to the advances in technology, these tools have made his job much easier over the years.